Jesus said what?! The Real “F” Word

Photo Credit:Markuso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is day one of the 30 day challenge! For the next week I will be writing about the words Jesus said while on the cross. Whenever I think about Jesus on the cross, I picture him talking directly to me. After all he did know me and you since before the beginning of time.

Picture this someone commits a crime that you had nothing to do with and you get blamed for it. The authorities do not give you a fair trial and the jury votes for the death penalty. How would you feel? That is exactly what Jesus had to endure!

Here is an excerpt of that occurrence:

Matthew 27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Through this whole ordeal Jesus did not attempt to justify himself rather he knew that the sacrifice of his life had to be done. He was mocked, beaten to a bloody mess, stripped, and hung on a cross as a thief, all because of you and me.

Instead of complaining and trying to plea his case. He used the “F” word. Let me clarify…the real “F” word. Forgiveness.

In Luke 23:34 Jesus said the following:

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Forgiveness comes from the Greek term (aphiemi) which means to pardon, remit, cancel, to leave, or abandon.  In Luke 17, Jesus taught the disciples that they must be willing to forgive.

Why is forgiveness so hard?

It’s because we feel hurt, betrayed, and have lost all sense of confidence or trust in the other individual. After a period of time it tends to become more of a personal pride issue. However, you should know that whenever you do not forgive someone, you give them power over your life. Recently, I spoke to someone that had a grudge against a family member and for years did not speak to them. A few days ago the person told me that based on their study of God’s word they noticed that they needed to forgive. They forgave their family member and now they feel a lot better.

Jesus knew the power of forgiveness and that is why he not only taught about it but he also practiced it.

Question:

Has someone wronged you? Have you been able to forgive them?

Remember, Jesus forgave you. Let’s be like him and also forgive. Trust me your life will change for the better.

Jonathan Iguina (34 Posts)

Jonathan is the author and founder of ConsiderUp.com. He is a husband, a father, and a pastor. He loves Jesus, his family, writing, and playing golf.